Faults:

"Optispark" died. This is the distributor on the LT1 engine. It hides behind the water pump. Even small amounts of water (think failing water pump bearings) will kill that thing. GM sells a replacement in the $825+ range. Non-OEM parts go for around $125. Pain in the ass to replace.

Radio antenna stuck in up position. Annoying to find. A generic replacement can be found, but can also be annoying to fit into the thing.

Previous owner had the tranny rebuilt at about 70,000.

Seats are starting to show wear. Hey, the thing is 22 years old, what do you expect.

General Comments:

I really do like this car a lot. My little Fiero is actually a "better" car around town (mileage, traffic quickness, if it gets hit, who cares), but out on the highway this is an amazing ride. Smooth, powerful, stable. A real highway machine.

At first I also thought the seats were rather uncomfortable. After driving the thing for a bit though I seem to have figured out how to sit in the thing. I have driven upwards of 8+ hours straight, and was only mildly crippled when I got out.

The only real drawback I can see with this car is the LT1 engine, and that "Optispark" design. The thing would run for 15-20 minutes, and just plain die. It felt like the ignition module had gone out. What was happening was that my water pump had some bearings going out, and that leaked just enough to mess up the distributor.

The distributor (Optispark) is a pain in the ass to replace. It can also be hard to actually lay your hands on one. Apparently, there are two different types of drive configurations. One is fairly common, the other one, not so much.

I will be keeping this thing for a few more years, and then move up to a ZR1. A very nice car, though, I am very happy that I finally got myself a Vette!

Faults:

I really haven't had anything break that was out of the ordinary ie. the heater core gave out around 51k. This wasn't bad, it just took a while to replace as anyone who has done this on a C4 knows. The LT5 itself has been excellent.

General Comments:

The LT5 is an outstanding engine, and the ZF six-speed is a smooth transmission.

I've never driven a car that will continue to accelerate harder when most cars begin to fade.

I think the ZR-1 handles pretty well, even though Chevrolet reduced the spring rates for '92.

The prices for the ZR-1 have dropped fairly low, making them an outstanding buy.

Faults:

Asr,Overheating, radiator, digital odometer in and out, wheel bearing, ac doesn't work, alternator. all in 6 months WOW $$$$$$$$

General Comments:

This car is like a real pretty pretty girl you meet at a party, She looks awesome and you date her, and she wants more and more of your money to look and ride great, you do get the awesome ride, and every one looks at you with her, the vette that is!!! But She is expensive, always needing something. I think I will go for a new mustang next...

Faults:

Air Intake housing cracked

Fuel Injectors all replaced $1400

Main Seal >$500

Remove pre-catalytic converters <$500

Replace primary catalytic converter $250

EGR Valve >$500

Key periodically would start car. Something about the chip inside it.

Replaced starter $126.

General Comments:

I had the mufflers replace with flow masters and the pipes port & polished, and K&N air filter added. This car could fly if it had wings and sounded like a plane engine was driving it. Handled awesome and got great gas mileage on long trips.

Main issues were expensive maintenance. A lot of things need to be replaced and maintained at a 100,000 miles. Tune-ups were very inexpensive.

You got to use a trusted mechanic.

Read the reviews and news groups before purchasing and doing any maintenance.

There is a way to interface with the cars computer manually and without any expensive add-ons. This will allow you to trouble shoot problems without needing to use the shops computers. Saves a lot of money.

Buy the shop manuals, it is must have.

Always check VIN history. Check title to make sure it doesn't have a 'salvaged' status or something similar.

The corvette is a great car for a hobby. Upping the horsepower by a hundred is very simple and cheap. This car will not let you down on the street.